The Great Deku Tree,(BotW)[4] also simply referred as the Great Deku Tree,(OoT | TWW)[5] is the fatherly guardian of the forest who safeguards not only the dense land around him, but the small population of beings that live in his shadow. In Ocarina of Time, the famed Kokiri praise and worship the massive tree, sharing a home in the Kokiri Forest, while in The Wind Waker, these beings are none other than the Koroks, timid wood creatures who live collaboratively with the talking tree in the arboretum that is the Forest Haven.

Biography

Ocarina of Time

At the beginning of the game, the Deku Tree sends Navi the Fairy to summon Link to him, explaining to the young boy that he has been cursed by Ganondorf.[7] Link is asked to journey Inside the Deku Tree, the first dungeon of the game, and destroy the root of the curse, the parasite known as Queen Gohma. Afterwards, the Great Deku Tree details Ganondorf's motives, the Golden Goddesses, and the Triforce they created. The Deku Tree withers and dies soon after due to the effects of the curse. Before passing on, he tasks Link with saving all of Hyrule from Ganondorf, directing him to meet Princess Zelda at Hyrule Castle outside the forest, and entrusting him with the Kokiri's Emerald.[8]

When Link returns to Kokiri Forest seven years later as an adult, he finds that it has been overrun by monsters due to the Deku Tree's absence. After clearing the Forest Temple and awakening Saria as a Sage, the Deku Tree Sprout takes root in the ground before his predecessor, and the monsters plaguing the forest subsequently vanish.

The Wind Waker

The Great Deku Tree acts as the guardian of the Forest Haven, home of the Koroks, in The Wind Waker. To them, the Great Deku Tree is considered a father figure to the children of the forest, for it is him that protects them from evil. One thing that set the Deku Tree of the Great Sea apart from his predecessor was that each year, the Great Deku Tree would send off some of the Koroks to plant trees all throughout the islands. This was done in the hope that, as the forests spread and the trees grew, they would consolidate the remaining land above the Great Sea, and allow some of the land lost during the Great Flood to be reclaimed from the depths.[9] It also rejuvenates his power, for if his power were to wane, the life of the Koroks would fade as well.[10]

When Link first meets the Great Deku Tree, hordes of ChuChus are invading his face. After the young hero eliminates all of them, the Great Deku Tree mistakes him for the legendary Hero of Time due to his clothes, and begins to speak the ancient Hylian language.[11] The Great Deku Tree realizes his error, and it is then that he realizes why Link is there: to receive Farore's Pearl from him. Just as the guardian of the forest is about to begin the annual Korok ceremony in order to give the pearl to Link,[12]Linder informs the Great Deku Tree of Makar's accident, and the ceremony is called off. After Link rescues Makar from the depths of the Forbidden Woods with the help of the Deku Leaf given to him by the Great Deku Tree himself, the ceremony begins, and in return, the Great Deku Tree hands over Farore's Pearl, as promised.[13]

Hyrule Historia states that this Deku Tree descended from his Ocarina of Time counterpart[14] and the Encyclopedia explicitly identifies him as the grown-up Deku Tree Sprout.[15]

Figurine not found.

Breath of the Wild

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In Breath of the Wild, The Great Deku Tree lives deep within the Lost Woods, at the center of the Korok Forest. He watched over the Master Sword in its pedestal for 100 years prior to the events of Breath of the Wild. He informs Link of the dangers of pulling out the Master Sword without being strong enough.[16] If Link fails to pull out the Master Sword, the Great Deku Tree belittles him, stating that Link has grown weak.[17]

Other Appearances

Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland

The story of the Deku Tree in Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland is somewhat similar to that of the one from Ocarina of Time. Due to pollution, Deku's Heir has grown sickly; while at the same time, the Deku Tree is also nearing his end. When Tingle met them, the Deku Tree asked if he would enter the Deku Temple at his base and retrieve Life Dew, which has the power to heal Deku's Heir. Tingle accepted and entered the Deku Temple. After defeating Bana Bana, Tingle obtained the water and rushed back to cure Deku's Heir. After that, the Deku Tree died happily, but not before paying Tingle for his service.

Ocarina of Time (Himekawa)

At the beginning of the Ocarina of Time manga by Akira Himekawa, the Great Deku Tree, guardian of Kokiri Forest, is telling the story of the Golden Goddesses creating Hyrule. When Mido will not let Link listen to the Great Deku Tree's story, the Deku Tree frightens the bully and his companions away. The Great Deku Tree tries to cheer Link up,[18] but the boy asks why he is so different from the others.[19] The Deku Tree tells Link that he will learn the answer when the time is right.[20] Later on that night, a creature enters Kokiri Forest and the Deku Tree refuses to let the menace past.[21] The creature then recedes from the shadows, revealing itself as the monstrous spider Gohma. The monster then begins to feed on the forest guardian, commenting on the Deku Tree's inability to move.[22] Navi notices the Great Deku Tree's dilemma and asks him what to do.[23] The Deku Tree orders her to find Link and bring him there.[24] Navi brings Link with Mido following as well. Mido comments that the Great Deku tree feels cold, worried that he is dead.[25] The other Kokiri soon arrive to see what the problem is. Gohma then reveals itself and enters the Great Deku Tree with Link, Navi and Mido following after it. The trio defeat Gohma,[26] but soon learn that the Deku Tree is unable to be saved.[27] The Deku Tree explains that as Gohma was devouring him, he read the monster's thoughts.[28] By doing so, the Deku Tree learned about Ganondorf, the Gerudo king of thieves, and his plan to conquer Hyrule. The Deku Tree then tells Link the tale of the Triforce and that he can defeat the evil king,[29] despite Link's own doubts.[30][31] The Great Deku Tree gives Link the Kokiri Emerald and instructs him to bring it to Princess Zelda.[32] He then tells Link that he believes in him and asks the boy to make a Shield from his remains.[33][34] He also asks Navi to accompany Link on his journey.[35] The Deku Tree bids farewell to the Kokiri as the children grieve the loss of their guardian.[36]

The Great Deku Tree is mentioned throughout the Ocarina of Time manga. Link tells Princess Zelda that Ganondorf's power killed the Deku Tree.[37] Link also explains to Princess Ruto that she is lucky to have a father, as Link feels that he lost his own when the Deku Tree died.[38] The Deku Tree also makes an appearance when Link dreams of a woman escaping from a burning castle and bringing Link to the Great Deku Tree. The Deku Tree is also seen in a short flashback when Link remembers that the forest guardian believed in him and that he wanted the hero to see the world and grow up.[39][40] After Ganondorf storms Hyrule Castle, Link faces the sky and exclaims that he is unable to defeat the Gerudo king, asking the Great Deku Tree what he must do.[41] The Deku Tree appears in another flashback as Link remembers the past events of his journey.[42] In part two of the manga, the Great Deku Tree appears in an illusion of Link's when he enters the desert.[43] The hero rushes to the mirage, but it disappears when he gets close. The Deku Tree's heir, the Deku Sprout, appears at the end of the manga.[44]

The Skull Kid and the Mask

In the Ocarina of Time manga's bonus story, which takes place before the events of Ocarina of Time, the Deku Tree appears alongside his evil counterpart, the Baga Tree, who lives in the Lost Woods. The Kokiri are celebrating the annual Deku Festival, a special holiday celebrated when the Deku Nuts turn red and open.[45] However, the Baga Tree is angry with the Great Deku Tree, who used to rule the Lost Woods.[46] In order to prove his strength and get his revenge, the Baga Tree has the Skull Kid capture Saria.[47][48] When the Skull Kid is wounded, the Deku Tree assures that he will be alright,[49] although he is worried by the parasite that caused the Baga Tree's corruption.[50] Despite this, the Great Deku Tree celebrates with the Kokiri Tribe. Additionally, there is a Gossip Stone in the bonus story that says that the Deku Tree is troubled because he cannot scratch his own back.[51]

Nintendo Land

The Deku Tree appears as an artificial tree in Battle Quest. The Deku Tree does not speak in this appearance, having no role beyond that of scenery. It is also one of the 200 prizes that can be won using the coins at the game on the top of the central tower located in the middle of the plaza. Upon touching the prize in the plaza using the touch screen or simply jumping into it, Monita will make the following comment:

Monita's Comment

Deku Tree

A faithful recreation of the gnarled forest guardian, the Great Deku Tree. · Feeling weary? How about a rest in the shade of its sprawling canopy? No, that wouldn't be terrifying at all.

Lana and the Great Deku Tree

Hyrule Warriors

When Lana uses the Spear Weapon, she is capable of summoning the Great Deku Tree to assist her in battle. The Great Deku Tree appears during her standard special attack, as well as her Spear move sets stage completion animation.

↑"The Deku Tree is both an earth spirit and the guardian of the forest. He has lived for many long years, so his wisdom is vast. However, since his roots run deep into the earth, he cannot move. As a result, he is often afflicted by parasitic enemies..." — Figurine (The Wind Waker)

↑"Though your valiant efforts to break the curse were successful, I was doomed before you started... Yes, I will pass away soon... But do not grieve for me..." — Great Deku Tree (Ocarina of Time)

↑"Every year after the Koroks perform this ceremony, they fly off to the distant islands on the sea and plant my seeds in the hopes that new forests will grow." — Great Deku Tree (The Wind Waker)

↑"If we are unable to hold our ceremony, we will not be able to raise any new forests. If that comes to pass, then evil days will follow. The Great Deku Tree's power will wane, and our power will wane with it... We might even wither altogether..." — Korok (The Wind Waker)

↑"That garb you wear... Could you be the legendary hero? [...] What is the matter? Do you not understand the ancient Hylian tongue? So...you are not the Hero of Time. I must apologize. I was in error. I saw your clothing, and suddenly I felt a longing for an age gone by..." — Great Deku Tree (The Wind Waker)

↑"As it happens, you have come just in time for a ceremony that the Koroks hold but once every year. It is about to begin. I shall grant the pearl to you once their ceremony is complete." — Great Deku Tree (The Wind Waker)

↑"You received Farore's Pearl! The earth spirit, the Deku Tree, has seen fit to give you this jewel, a treasure of the goddess, Farore." — N/A (The Wind Waker)

↑"Even after the land of Hyrule was sealed away, the guardian spirits of the three pearls of the goddesses remain. They are thought to be descended from Volvagia, the Deku Tree, and Jabu-Jabu, spirits that existed during the Era of the Hero of Time." (Hyrule Historia (Dark Horse Books) pg. 127)

↑"A seedling born from the roots of the withered Deku Tree in the Adult Era of Ocarina of Time. One of its roles is to tell Link about his past. By the time of The Wind Waker, it has grown significantly." (Encyclopedia (Dark Horse Books) pg. 22)

↑"...His evil power killed the Great Deku Tree." (Ocarina of Time manga Part 1 (VIZ Media) pg. 59)

↑"... The Great Deku, who was like a father to me, was killed... and I can never see him again. You've got a father who's worried and waiting for you..." (Ocarina of Time manga Part 1 (VIZ Media) pg. 95)

↑"Link... I believe in you." (Ocarina of Time manga Part 1 (VIZ Media) pg. 81)

↑"Learn about the world and grow big..." (Ocarina of Time manga Part 1 (VIZ Media) pg. 84)

↑"It's no use, Great Deku Tree! As small as I am... I'm no match for him at all. What should I do?" (Ocarina of Time manga Part 1 (VIZ Media) pg. 108)

↑"I did what the Great Deku Tree asked and left the forest for the first time in my life." (Ocarina of Time Part 1 (VIZ Media) pg. 126)

↑"Great Deku Tree? H-How did you get here?" (Ocarina of Time manga Part 2 (VIZ Media) pg. 38)

↑"... The Great Deku Tree had a baby!..." (Ocarina of Time manga Part 2 (VIZ Media) pg. 109)

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